Monday, January 25, 2010

Musing Mondays - Library Books

Musing Mondays is hosted by Rebecca of Just One More Page and today asks us to consider:

Where do you keep any books borrowed from friends or the library? Do they live with your own collection, or do you keep them separate? Do you monitor them in any way?

Several years ago, when I was a stay-at-home mom with three rather active children, I found myself frazzled more often than not - and unable to accomplish those simple household tasks that I thought all homemakers should complete with ease. Somehow I discovered FlyLady and immediately signed up for her daily reminders. Every Sunday night/Monday morning she would remind us to gather up our library books and check for due dates, in order to avoid costly fines. At that time I didn't use the library much (if I didn't have time to clean, I was not going to spend time reading - or so I told myself), but I filed that information away for future use.

Today I use the library constantly. I am usually on the website once a day - at least - and monitor all my holds and due dates from the comfort of my computer chair. If I pay a late fee (which is rare), it is usually because I choose to keep the book an extra day or two.

I purchased a book bag from the library several years ago. I use this bag solely for library books, and always have it nearby my stack of borrowed books. I put all library books on the top of one of my book shelves - totally separate from my own collection. I try to remember to put library books back in that location when I finish reading them. Slowly my one large stack becomes two smaller stacks: one for books yet to read; one for books ready to return. The next time I go to the library, I put all the books ready to be returned in the handy-dandy book bag, and away I go to pick up my new arrivals.

It is a system that works well for me, but then again, I like a lot of structure and routine. What system do you use for keeping track of library books you have borrowed?

I keep my library books on the kitchen desk right next to the calendar and grocery list. Fortunately the library is just down the street from Publix ( local grocery store) and a trip to one usually involves a trip to the other.

Like your system Molly. All I can say is thank goodness for tote bags--and thank goodness for online libraries!!! I can hardly remember what it was like before we had internet and could access the library from home. I used the library A LOT back then as I was home-schooling my 4 kids. I was even trying to remember those days when we had to use an old fashioned card catalouge.*smiles*Kim

Cheryl, Fleur, Gautami, Marie - yes, I do tend to be a rather organized, routinized person. Some might think this is a good trait - others might categorize me a OCD :)

Vivienne - FlyLady is great! I don't necessarily need her reminder notices anymore, but she has some amazing ideas to help declutter and feel organized with very little time or effort!

Kaye - great system! And I must say that my library is conveniently located just down the street from my local grocery store, super Walmart - and on the way to Half Priced Books and Borders. Needless to say, I stop by and visit often :)

Caite - you are too funny!

Laurel-Rain Snow - well, I don't say I don't stack .... I just stack books on my shelf in the nook and then eventually they find their way into the bag.

Kathy - if money were not object - would buy all of my books and gratefully support the independent bookstores and authors across the U.S. Fortunately my local library is fairly good and since finances are not so good, it is a great alternative :)

Kim - oh my goodness! Card catalogs? I had completely forgotten that cumbersome method of searching for books. I do embrace some of the technological advancements of the past two decades :) And I agree - tote bags are da bomb!!

I don't know why but I always prefer to own a book. While reading a borrowed book - very rarely it happens to me - it is like a guest you barely know but must live among the family... never one of the family... Can you understand me? I have to draw lines and little signs like hearts or stars or arrows as well as take notes or write comments( I know some of you may be shocked but I do all of that especially if I like it!)while reading a book and if it is not mine...

Nise -- yea you!! I would love to have some kind of incentive where I could earn another tote. I don't think there is such a thing as "too many tote bags" :)

Jenners -- well, yes...I do tend to use my library to the extreme, and my close to OCD tendencies require me to have a system :)

Maria - I absolutely LOVE to write in my books (although several bibliophiles shudder at that statement. It is difficult for me to review a book from the library for that reason. That is why I decided to use an index card as a bookmark. If I am tempted to "mark" the book - I write on the index card. Not ideal, but it works within my budget :)

About Me

Redefining Life at Fifty. I no longer wish to live according to the expectations of others - the roles that I play on a weekly basis. Instead of a "human doing" I wish to become a "human being" ... learning to cultivate my God-given talents and gifts in a way that brings joy to myself and those around me.
Life is too short not to live it.